In need of help!

im wanting a mk1 gti in good working order etc…but i have one problem. As im taking a bit of a loan from my parents (student and im 21!) my dad is having to oversee the purchase. He is not afraid of old cars, he has a Triumph Tr6 n my bro a GT6 which theyve spent a fair bit on etc.  The problem is he is convinced that the mk1s have "very high mileage" (im looking at one with 96k!) and is insisting i wait for a low mileage one (in an ideal world maybe!)

Is it just me who thinks that as far as a classic goes mk1s are fairly new, and can take a few miles, have ok parts availabiltiy etc? Im only do about 8k miles a yr, and understand they're old cars and old cars have niggles….But how can i convince my dad?

Or should i admit defeat and keep my heap of a pug?

 :dontknow:

Sell the pug and get a Mk1…  :wink:

the engines will go for ages.. I've got 120k on mine.. a few people on here have had some over 200k and an engine rebuild isn't that much of a challenge!

96k is pretty good IMO.. I'd recommend you replace the oil pump (?26 from GSF) and the usual full service and it will keep going

Engine parts are pretty easy to get hold of.. a few people on here sell parts and are very friendly

the main problem with the Mk1 is rust though

Top ends usually need work by 120K, bottom ends at 180K

crazyquiff said

Top ends usually need work by 120K, bottom ends at 180K

shhh will ya! you'll jinks me before I get my replacement head ready

what sort of bottom end work (jokes aside) usually needs doing then around 180k?  :dontknow: thought the only problem was if the oil pump went then crank damage occured.. is it just a general wear and tear?

Bottom end will probably need bearings, crank polish, bore hone and new rings, maybe pistons, and an oil pump.

so lower mileage is advisable? or is it more important to get more service history??

8O not really a weekend job that little lot!

approx. 60k left in the ol' girl yet!

so junglist you'll have a year or so of fun (if it's been looked after) before you need top end work (I've just got a replacement head to rebuild so the car's not off the road… about ?100-?150 for all the bits and bobs)

unless i can buy one with the top end done?! Im pretty useless at stuff like that, but am willing to learn..although id probably get it done at a garage..

All depends how much you are willing to spend really and what work you want to do

I paid ?200 for mine.. restored all the bodywork and about to do the engine and I've spent around ?1600

I'd say you'd get a good one with a recon engine for about ?2000-?2500

forgot to add.. I'm usually wrong when I estimate prices!

thats the sorta price range im looking at.... am visiting wagenwheels.co.uk on friday to look at a black one they have for sale.... jus hope the convince my miserable dad that its not gonna be a heap!

Don't get too hung up on Mileage.  Used engines are cheap enough and easy to bung in.  Even though the top end might need to have a recon at 120 it'll go on much longer than that.

cool…
Looked on ur site and saw the 01491 number so ur near by. I live nr Woodcote.

Its handy to know i can get parts close by if i get one!

Cool as - yes I'm in Wallingford so just around the corner  

I've loads of used parts as well as the new stuff.

Got a reasonable black 1.1 if you want a cheap Mk1 - it's on the website!

sweet!

Im having a look at a couple of GTI's this weekend, but cheers for the offer of the 1.1! Taking a trip down to wagenwheels to get my dad convinced, then off to take a look at a 124k mile one up in oxford…